Asphalt Shingle Roofing

Why Architectural Asphalt Is Still the Right Choice for Most Homes

Architectural asphalt shingles account for something like 80% of the residential roofs installed in the United States every year, and there's a reason: no other material delivers the same combination of value, durability, and aesthetics. A modern architectural shingle carries a 30-year to lifetime manufacturer warranty, meets or exceeds Class F wind ratings up to 110–130 mph, comes in dozens of colors, and installs faster than any competing product.

The dimensional appearance — the shadow lines and texture created by the double-layer construction — mimics wood shake beautifully. On a two-story colonial in Dundee, a well-chosen architectural shingle looks essentially indistinguishable from designer options at ground level.

The Three Brands We Install and Why

GAF Timberline HDZ is our most-installed shingle. It's the best-selling shingle in North America, carries an outstanding lifetime warranty, and includes GAF's LayerLock technology that improves nail-zone accuracy and wind resistance. When installed by a GAF-certified contractor, homeowners qualify for the enhanced GAF Golden Pledge and System Plus warranties.

Owens Corning Duration is our second most-installed. Owens Corning's SureNail technology adds a woven fabric nail strip that dramatically increases holding power and provides a visible nail line for installers — reducing installation errors. Duration shingles are also part of the Owens Corning Preferred Contractor system.

CertainTeed Landmark rounds out our top three. Landmark is a two-piece laminated shingle with a beefy base and an aesthetic that plays well on traditional architecture. CertainTeed's warranty terms and material quality have made it a staple in the industry for over 100 years.

What Separates a 15-Year Asphalt Roof From a 30-Year One

Two factors: installation quality and attic ventilation. That's it. The shingles themselves — assuming you're buying a major-brand architectural product — are essentially commodity quality. The variables that determine whether your roof lasts 15 years or 30+ are almost entirely within the contractor's control.

Installation quality includes nail placement (below the reinforced nail strip, not above it, not at an angle), nail count (six per shingle in most wind zones, not four), starter course orientation (with the seal strip along the eave), and proper overlap in valleys and around penetrations. These are basics, but a shocking percentage of the failed roofs we tear off show one or more of these errors.

Attic ventilation is the silent killer of shingle roofs in southeast Michigan. Without balanced intake at the soffits and exhaust at the ridge, attic temperatures in summer routinely exceed 140°F. That heat cooks the shingles from below, drying out the asphalt binder and shortening life by a decade or more. In winter, the same trapped heat melts snow that refreezes at the eaves, creating ice dams that force water back under the shingles.

Color, Warranty, and What to Expect on Install Day

Color selection matters more than most homeowners realize. Darker shingles absorb heat and add to summer cooling loads. Lighter shingles reflect more heat but show algae staining more visibly. Most homeowners in our area choose a mid-range weathered wood, driftwood, or hickory tone that hides algae, moderates heat gain, and complements a wide range of siding and trim.

Warranty depends on which shingle tier and which installer certifications apply. A GAF Timberline installed by a GAF Master Elite contractor with the Golden Pledge warranty is dramatically better than the same shingle installed by an uncertified crew with only the basic manufacturer warranty. Ask about certification when you get quotes.

On install day, expect noise, dumpster deliveries, and a busy driveway. Most single-family jobs finish in 1–2 days. Our crews sweep for nails with heavy-duty magnets at the end of each day, and homeowners consistently rate the cleanup as one of the things they most appreciate.